Will it be a place in the quarter-final? Or an early exit in the first knockout round? The Germany U20s take on Zambia in the U20 World Cup in South Korea today at 13:00 CEST. The African Champions topped Group C ahead of Portugal, and will prove a tough nut to crack for manager Guido Streichsbier in the Jeju World Cup Stadium. However, there’s some hope to be taken away from an encounter that lies almost 15 years in the past.
All those in the German camp will be hoping for a good omen, as the U20s finished their final training session on Tuesday afternoon before their World Cup Round of 16 game against Zambia. The session was in the Simin Football Ground, where the senior team trained under then manager Rudi Völler during the 2002 Japan and South Korea World Cup as they prepared for a Round of 16 game too.
Germany won that game in the Jeju World Cup Stadium 1-0 against Paraguay thanks to an 88th minute goal – the same venue that the U20s will later be in. Goalscorer Oliver Neuville played alongside the likes of Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, and World Cup top-scorer Miroslav Klose. Kahn and the others went on to reach the World Cup final, where they lost to Brazil by a score of 2-0.
Streichsbier: We are not satisfied with our performances so far“
The U20s are looking to advance to the quarter final stages, but despite being Vanuatu 3-2 in their final group game, they are not pleased with the level they have shown so far. Streichsbier admitted that the coaching team were “not satisfied” with their first three performances and “know that we have to improve”.
Streichsbier wants his team to be more decisive, more concentrated and bolder, but will be without the services of Maximilian Mittelstädt, who is suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. The ban means Streichsbier has 15 outfield players to choose from, all of whom could be used with the new allowance of a fourth substitution in extra time. Jannes Horn (VfL Wolfsburg) and Florian Neuhaus (1860 München) remain in Germany after featuring in their teams’ relegation play-offs.
“We know and are addressing the weaknesses"
On the game ahead, Streichsbier added that “the players have been critical of their own showings against Vanuatu – we have analysed where we were weak, discussed it collectively and are working to improve things. Now we need a reaction.”
An improved performance will be necessary for the challenge of Zambia. Following in the footsteps of their 1997 side, they have the support of the whole nation, and have not disappointed the fans so far. They were the hosts and champions of the 2017 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, as the ‘Junior Chipolopolo’ stormed through the tournament to claim their first continental title. Four months before, the young side were victorious at the COSAFA U20 Championships, which was played out solely between southern African sides.
Streichbier: "It will be tough"
Beston Chambeshi’s side excel in no small part thanks to their robust physical nature and above all else, their strength going forward. “With Enock Mwepu, Conlyde Luchanga, Fashion Sakala and Patson Daka, the Zambians have excellent individual talent, and it will be tough to come up against them. We have to match them for force and speed,” Streichsbier stated before the match.
The Germany U20 team have showed that they are capable of such a performance, most notably in the 0-0 draw with Mexico, the second of their group games. They outfought and outran the opposition but were unable to turn it into a goal. A similar type of showing with more cutting edge going forward could well be their route into the next round and who knows, possibly find their way further up the ranks…
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Will it be a place in the quarter-final? Or an early exit in the first knockout round? The Germany U20s take on Zambia in the U20 World Cup in South Korea today at 13:00 CEST. The African Champions topped Group C ahead of Portugal, and will prove a tough nut to crack for manager Guido Streichsbier in the Jeju World Cup Stadium. However, there’s some hope to be taken away from an encounter that lies almost 15 years in the past.
All those in the German camp will be hoping for a good omen, as the U20s finished their final training session on Tuesday afternoon before their World Cup Round of 16 game against Zambia. The session was in the Simin Football Ground, where the senior team trained under then manager Rudi Völler during the 2002 Japan and South Korea World Cup as they prepared for a Round of 16 game too.
Germany won that game in the Jeju World Cup Stadium 1-0 against Paraguay thanks to an 88th minute goal – the same venue that the U20s will later be in. Goalscorer Oliver Neuville played alongside the likes of Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, and World Cup top-scorer Miroslav Klose. Kahn and the others went on to reach the World Cup final, where they lost to Brazil by a score of 2-0.
Streichsbier: We are not satisfied with our performances so far“
The U20s are looking to advance to the quarter final stages, but despite being Vanuatu 3-2 in their final group game, they are not pleased with the level they have shown so far. Streichsbier admitted that the coaching team were “not satisfied” with their first three performances and “know that we have to improve”.
Streichsbier wants his team to be more decisive, more concentrated and bolder, but will be without the services of Maximilian Mittelstädt, who is suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. The ban means Streichsbier has 15 outfield players to choose from, all of whom could be used with the new allowance of a fourth substitution in extra time. Jannes Horn (VfL Wolfsburg) and Florian Neuhaus (1860 München) remain in Germany after featuring in their teams’ relegation play-offs.
“We know and are addressing the weaknesses"
On the game ahead, Streichsbier added that “the players have been critical of their own showings against Vanuatu – we have analysed where we were weak, discussed it collectively and are working to improve things. Now we need a reaction.”
An improved performance will be necessary for the challenge of Zambia. Following in the footsteps of their 1997 side, they have the support of the whole nation, and have not disappointed the fans so far. They were the hosts and champions of the 2017 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, as the ‘Junior Chipolopolo’ stormed through the tournament to claim their first continental title. Four months before, the young side were victorious at the COSAFA U20 Championships, which was played out solely between southern African sides.
Streichbier: "It will be tough"
Beston Chambeshi’s side excel in no small part thanks to their robust physical nature and above all else, their strength going forward. “With Enock Mwepu, Conlyde Luchanga, Fashion Sakala and Patson Daka, the Zambians have excellent individual talent, and it will be tough to come up against them. We have to match them for force and speed,” Streichsbier stated before the match.
The Germany U20 team have showed that they are capable of such a performance, most notably in the 0-0 draw with Mexico, the second of their group games. They outfought and outran the opposition but were unable to turn it into a goal. A similar type of showing with more cutting edge going forward could well be their route into the next round and who knows, possibly find their way further up the ranks…
